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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A La Peanut Butter Sandwiches

So today my daughter (4) almost (5) asked me why I call her "Peanut butter" and her sister (3) "Jelly". I know that she much prefers being called "Cowgirl" and her sister "Princess" and sometimes they just like me to call them both "Cowgirl Princesses". I would have thought that by now that my children would all have figured out that I really don't do anything "normal" or their way for that matter-sometimes because I just like to be different, sometimes just because I like to bug them. But I thought that this was a good question so it deserved a good answer. The answer being:

One of my favorite characters when I was little was The Amazing Mumford. Do you know who he was??? He was the magician on Sesame Street...ringing a bell? I know, of all the characters...why him? I don't know...Maybe I felt sorry for him...always trying to conjure up some great trick only to have it go wrong. (sounds like being a grownup now that I think of it) Anyway, right before he would perform his amazing feat he would say "a la peanut butter sandwiches!" And thus I have always loved that saying. Now the "Jelly", where did that come from...well naturally if you call one child "Peanut butter" you musts call the other "Jelly"...right? Well at least that is my rationale. Quite frankly, I think there is no thing better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich made on fresh bread...my comfort food. So I told her that I call her that because I love peanut butter so much and I love her too...so it works.

She stared blankly at me...what did she expect? I personally thought it was a good explanation. She then asked me "Which do you like better-peanut butter or jelly?" (she isn't too dumb for four)

I told her "I love them both...I couldn't bear a sandwich without both of them. So do you mind if I still call you "Peanut butter"?"

"I guess you can call me that, but just not at school,"she replied.

So that's that. I only wonder what ever happened to poor old Mumford.

Are you wondering how I am going to tie this story in with a recipe? Well, there is nothing better with a fresh peanut butter sandwich than potato chips...so here you go:

POTATO CHIPS4 russet (baking) potatoes (about 2 pounds)

4 cups canola oil for deep-frying

sea salt

malt vinegar

Peel potatoes and put in a bowl of cold water to cover. Cut potato into paper-thin slices (about 1/16 inch thick) and let potato slices stand 20 minutes in another bowl of cold water with ice in it to cover.Drain potato slices and spread without overlapping on a triple layer of paper towels. Blot slices completely dry with another triple layer of paper towels.In a 3-quart saucepan heat oil until a deep-fat thermometer registers 380°F. Working in batches of 8 to 10 slices, fry potatoes, turning once or twice, until golden, this takes about two minutes, making sure oil returns to 380°F before adding next batch. Transfer chips with a large slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and sprinkle with salt and vinegar. Potato chips may be made 2 days ahead and kept in an airtight container.